Storage Options for OU Libraries Employees

Owned by John R. Hennessey (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Apr 13, 2020 by Peter Sandell (Unlicensed)
2 min read


OU Libraries supports the use of a number of different storage solutions.  This document lists out the various storage solutions and provides information concerning usage, access control and requesting service.


Norfile

The primary storage solution is terms of usage and adoption is the File Archive storage service available from OU Shared Services.  This storage is an Isilon NAS solution.    

Usage:  As of 4/18/2019, UL is using over 170TB of storage

Connections:  SMB connections to "UL-" shares

Access control:  via AD security group membership

Requesting service:  Requests for additional shares go to http://help.libraries.ou.edu.  LTP will then request this service through http://itservices.ou.edu.


Local NAS

OU Libraries currently utilizes 3 NAS appliances.  These NASes are physically housed in 341 Bizzell.  Two of the NASes run Linux and the third runs Windows Server.   

Usage:  NAS1/NAS2 - combined 54TB of storage are used by the Digitization Lab as short term storage for their digitization efforts.

Ariel - 12TB of storage and used for short term storage of project work output from varying teams

Connections:  SMB connections to "UL-"

Access control:  via AD security group membership

Requesting service:  Requests for storage on the project NAS go to http://help.libraries.ou.edu.


Dropbox for Business

The most used cloud storage solution within OU Libraries is this OU sponsored service.  Dropbox for Business accounts are available through OU IT for $95/user/year and will be prorated at purchase for a June 30th end date.   

Usage:  OU Libraries currently has approximately 35 accounts through this service offering. 

Connections:  through http://dropbox.com or via dropbox client

Access control:  via your OU email address

Requesting service:  Requests for accounts should go to http://help.libraries.ou.edu and should include justification for why this type of storage is needed over other existing storage options such as Norfile.  LTP will then request the account on behalf of the user at http://itscnorman.ou.edu.  


OneDrive

OneDrive storage is included as part of OU's Office365 subscription.  OLTP does not currently perform any oversight of this storage, though we are able to answer questions related to it.  

Usage:  There is limited adoption of this solution within OU Libraries.

Connections:  through http://office365.com or via the onedrive client

Access control:  via your OU email address

Requesting service:  Employees are automatically set up with OneDrive space


Google Drive

This storage and collaboration suite is used by some OU Libraries units.  There are not currently any paid accounts for this service.  

Usage:  There is limited adoption of this solution within OU Libraries, primarily among DigiDev division.

Connections:  through http://drive.google.com

Access control:  via whichever email address registered with your account

Requesting service:  go directly to http://drive.google.com


OU Libraries Intranet

In addition to these more traditional storage options there are some other storage solutions for individual files such as OU Libraries Intranet.  Access to this site is restricted to OU Libraries employees.  Though the Intranet does provides the capability to create and share publicly accessible links to the files that are stored there. 

Usage:  There is limited adoption of this solution within OU Libraries.

Connections:  through http://intranet.libaries.ou.edu

Access control:  via your OU 4x4

Requesting service:  Employees are automatically given access to Intranet at hire.  Questions regarding the Intranet should go to libwebdev@ou.edu